Card game method

ABSTRACT

A method of playing an improved card game adapted for wagering by multiple players playing against a dealer. The improved card game provides for wagering on the occurrence of matches between one or more players and the dealer. At least one standard fifty-two card deck of cards is used, with the numerical cards being valued at their face value worth of points, an ace valued at either one or eleven points, and each of the face cards being valued at ten points. The object of the game is for each player to arrive at one or more direct or indirect matches with the dealer&#39;s card. Thus, winning hands are determined according to direct and indirect matches between a player&#39;s hand and the dealer&#39;s hand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, generally, to card games, and more specifically, to a wagering game in which players attempt to match or total the point value of the dealer's point value of a single card.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wagering, card games are played both for financial gain and for entertainment purposes. Many wagering card games have been developed in which the object is to reach a specific count based upon assigned card values and game rules, for example, Blackjack and Baccarat. In card games such as these, each card is assigned a value, each player (including the dealer) is dealt a certain number of cards, and after certain particulars to each game are exercised, the value of the cards is totaled in order to determine the winning hand. Each of these types of wagering card games is based upon beating or bettering a certain hand, such as, the dealer's or the bank's. The prior art discloses a number of such games.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,038 to Kangsanaraks, entitled CARD GAME, is directed to a wagering card game in which numerically superior hands are rewarded.

A METHOD OF PLAYING A CARD GAME WHEREIN CARD VALUES ARE TOTALED AND COMPARED is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,682 to Otuzbiryan. This game is played according to the rules of Blackjack with the object being to achieve a hand having the highest point value.

Next, a wagering card gamed combining the attributes of poker and Blackjack into hands played against a dealer is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,574 to Hughes, entitled CARD GAME METHOD.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,573 to Nazaryan, entitled WAGERING GAME, discloses a wagering card game in which players play against the dealer, house or bank.

A new METHOD OF PLAYING A BLACKJACK CARD GAME is the subject matter of U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,842 to Cabot et al., wherein players win by attaining winning card combinations or by obtaining a hand superior to that of the dealers.

Another METHOD OF PLAYING A WAGERING GAME that includes a dealer and a standard deck of cards is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,899 to Skratulia et al. In this game, the players pre-select winning number sets.

The Field patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,333) entitled CARD GAME EMPLOYING CARD VALUES TO DETERMINE A WINNER CARD HAND provides a wagering card game of which the object is to achieve a point total closest to a target point value without exceeding that target value, not dissimilar from Blackjack or Baccarat in which the targets are 21 and 9, respectively.

Finally, a wagering card game in which a winning hand is determined by a sum value calculated by adding the numerical face value of cards is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,106 to Alvarez, Jr., entitled METHOD OF PLAYING A CASINO TYPE CARD GAME.

The object of the instant game, in contrast to prior art card games, is to achieve an indirect and/or a direct numeric value match to that of the dealer's card. The winning hand, is when the player achieves one or a plurality of any number of possible numeric matches to the dealer's card. This game may be played on any appropriate table or planar surface, e.g., a semi-circular table as discussed infra.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of playing a card game is disclosed. The method comprises: a) providing at least one deck of playing cards comprising four suits totaling fifty two cards, with each suit including thirteen cards ranking from ace through king; b) assigning a value to each of the cards with the two through ten of each suit respectively being assigned values of two through ten points, the jack, queen and king of each Suit being assigned values of ten points, and the ace being assigned a discretionary value of either one or eleven points; c) placing a first wager on the outcome of play of the card game; d) forming dealer and player hands by dealing three cards to each player and a single card to the dealer of the game, with the card to the dealer being dealt face up and all others face down; and e) determining a winning player's hand in relation to the dealer's hand by achieving one or a plurality of numeric direct or indirect matches, wherein the direct matches comprise corresponding face value between the player's hand or a portion thereof and the dealer's hand, the indirect matches comprise the summing of at least a portion of the player's hand to match the dealer's hand.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of playing a card game is disclosed. The method comprises: a) providing at least one deck of playing cards comprising four suits totaling fifty two cards, with each suit including thirteen cards ranking from ace through king; b) assigning a value to each of the cards with the two through ten of each suit respectively being assigned values of two through ten points, the jack, queen and king of each suit being assigned values of ten points, and the ace being assigned a discretionary value of either one or eleven points; c) placing a first wager on the outcome of play of the card game; d) forming dealer and player hands by dealing three cards to each player and a single card to the dealer of the game, with the card to the dealer being dealt face up and all others face down; and e) determining a winning player's hand in relation to the dealers hand by achieving one or a plurality of numeric direct or indirect matches, wherein the direct matches comprise corresponding face value between the player's hand or a portion thereof and the dealer's hand, the indirect matches comprise the summing of at least a portion of the player's hand to match the dealer's hand; and wherein a winning payout is provided when the player's hand includes three direct matches to the dealer's hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the preferred embodiment of a plan view of the game table provided for the present game, showing its various features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

The present invention is seen to relate to a card game involving the matching, both direct and indirect between a player's hand and the dealer's hand, while simultaneously attempting to acquire a total of matching points based upon the values assigned to the cards. The present game is played, preferably, using one standard deck of playing cards, with the deck comprising fifty-two cards of four suits. (Alternatively, the game may be adapted for play using more than one standard deck of cards or a partial deck or decks.) Each suit containing thirteen cards, from two through ten and jack, queen, king and ace.

In one embodiment, the two through ten of each suit are counted at face value for purposes of determining the counting of point value of each hand. That is to say, the “natural” cards from two to ten have the value appearing on the card, i.e., from two to ten. Each face card, including the jack, queen and king of each suit having an assigned counting value of ten and each ace having an assigned counting value as either a one or eleven at the discretion of the player holding the card.

FIG. 1 discloses a plan view of a gaming table layout providing for the play of the present card game. The table includes a semicircular or curved player periphery and an opposite dealer periphery. The arrangement permits the dealer to face each of the plurality of players of the game, and in turn, for each of the players to face the dealer. The game may be played by any number of players, limited only by the number of positions available at the table. It is understood that the present table may include positions for more or fewer players, as desired, as well as standard poker chip or betting token racks and discard racks. The instant game is playable on any suitable playing surface and not intended to be limited to the specific table configuration disclosed herein.

Rules establishing limits, for example, dollar amounts, bet on each hand may be set by the authority controlling the game. More specifically, house rules may be established limiting the betting to maximum or minimum of a particular amount per hand without affecting the play of the instant game. In one embodiment, each player must place their bet on the table surface prior to the dealing of the cards.

The object of the present game is for a player to achieve one or more “direct” matches with the face value of the dealer's card (without regard to suit), or alternatively, achieve an “indirect” match with the dealer's card by combining the values of two or more cards to total the face value of the dealer's card. For example, when the dealer has a single card showing a face value of seven points, it may be directly matched by the player having been dealt a card of a different suit also exhibiting a face value of seven points. An indirect match to the same dealer card may be accomplished by a player's hand comprising three card—a five, a four and a three of any suit, with the addition of the three and the four creating a total value of seven and thus an “indirect” match to the dealer's seven. An indirect match is not achieved when one party is dealt a face card having a value of ten, and the dealer is dealt a natural ten or different face card. By way of further example, a dealer may have a card showing a value of nine and the player may be dealt three cards, each having a value of nine. The player has three, direct matches to the dealer, resulting in the highest possible hand—a bullseye. It can be seen that the instant invention is a card game of chance in which the dealer's card changes with each hand dealt, yielding unpredictable results.

Representative hands and possible payouts based on probability are as follows:

Hand Type How Achieved Example Probability bulls eye 3 matches Dealer - 9 200:1  (direct) Player - 9, 9, 9 red eye 2 matches Dealer - 9 15:1  (direct) Player - 9, 9, 7 black eye 3-10 value cards Dealer - 10 10:1  (direct or indirect) Player - J, Q, K double eye 1 match (direct) and Dealer - 9 5:1 1 match (indirect, 2 cards) Player - 9, 4, 5 triple eye 1 match Dealer - 9 3:1 (indirect, 3 card total) Player - 2, 3, 4 two eye 1 match Dealer - 9 1:1 (indirect, 2 card total) Player - 2, 4, 5 one eye 1 match Dealer - 9 1:1 (direct) Player - 9, 2, 5 It should be noted that the actual payouts used may be varied as desired (e.g., the payout for a two eye may be 2;1 instead of 1:1).

In one embodiment if a player's hand can be counted in more than one way, it is counted in the most favorable way for the player. For example, if the dealer has an Ace and the player hand is a seven, three and an Ace, the Player hand is considered a triple eye (an indirect match consisting of three cards) rather than a one eye (a direct match consisting of one card). According to another example, if the dealer has a Jack and the player hand is two Jacks and a King, the player has a red eye (two direct matches) rather than a black eye (three 10-value cards).

In one embodiment, each of the player's cards can only be used once to obtain the best possible hand. For example, if the dealer has a four and the player has two Aces and a three, the player has a single two eye (an indirect match based on two cards) rather than two two eyes.

House profit/expected value from the play of a game in accordance with these rules and the hand rankings listed above can be seen from the following results of a combinatorial analysis of optimum play:

Approximate Payout # of Occurrences Frequency All Hands 12994800 1/1 Bulls eye 200 to 1  2496 1/5200 Red eye 15 to 1  146700 1/89 Double eye 10 to 1  185016 1/70 Black eye 5 to 1 260832 1/50 Triple eye 3 to 1 315752 1/41 Two eye 1 to 1 1716288 1/8 One eye 1 to 1 1841148 1/7 Losing hand 8526568 2/3 Double down wins 1 to 1 1058396 Double down losses 3252676 Initial wagers 12994800 House Profit  362136 Expected Value 97.21%

House profit/expected value can be adjusted by changing one or more of the payouts. For example, changing the 5 to 1 payout for a blackeye to 4 to 1 results in an expected value of 95.21%. Changing the 10 to 1 payout for a double eye to 8 to 1 results in an expected value of 94.37%. Changing the 10 to 1 payout for a double eye to 7 to 1 results in an expected value of 92.94%.

In one embodiment, during play, players place their bets in their respective betting circles and the dealer initially deals a single card, face down to each player in a clockwise order. This pattern is continued until each player is dealt three cards, face down. (Alternatively, the dealer may deal three cards to each individual player before dealing any cards to the next player.) The dealer then deals a single card to him- or herself face up. The dealer could be a person, or the game could be machine-dealt. Players are then permitted to look at their hands to determine further actions. As discussed, the object of the game is to achieve a direct or indirect match, card for card, with the dealer's card, or alternatively, achieve a two or three card point count match with the dealers card.

Further action by the players includes a choice of three actions: to fold and discard the entire hand; to stand and play the originally dealt three cards, or to double down. Doubling down is defined as a player making a second bet equal to their first bet before discarding one of the three originally dealt cards and receiving a replacement therefor.

To fold and discard an entire hand, the player places all cards face down on the table and moves them toward the dealer. A player may choose to fold when none of the three cards dealt directly match the dealer's card and where they may not be combined in a way such that they indirectly match the dealer's card. A folded and discarded hand, in addition to the bet corresponding thereto, is retrieved by the dealer. The cards are placed in the discard rack and the bet placed into the bank.

In the event that a player decides to play the three originally dealt cards, this action may be indicated by the player by placing the cards face down under the originally placed bet. To double down, a player matches his original bet by placing the matching bet in the appropriate betting circle. One of the three originally dealt cards is discarded by placing it in front of the double down bet, face down, while placing the retained two cards under the original bet. The dealer retrieves the discarded card, places it in the discard rack, and deals the player a double down card, face down in front of the double down bet. If the double down card improves the player's hand according to the table of hand rankings, the player wins the double down bet and is paid even money (1:1). If the double down card does not improve the player's hand, the player loses the double down bet no matter what happens with his original bet.

For example, if the dealer has an Ace and the player has a three, four and Ace, he has a one eye (one direct match). If he discards the three and doubles down and receives a Jack, he still has a one eye and he therefore loses the double down bet because he did not achieve a higher ranked hand.

A probability analysis for a game played according to the foregoing rules for dealer hands between two and Ace is as follows:

MATCH THE DEALER PROBABILITY ANALYSIS DEALER CARD=2

PROB- ABILITY PROB- MATCH COMBINATIONS FACTORS ABILITY 1 CARD 2 3/51 0.058824 0.058824 2 CARDS ACE × ACE 4/51 × 3/50 0.004706 0.004706 0.063529

DEALER CARD=3

PROB- ABILITY PROB- MATCH COMBINATIONS FACTORS ABILITY 1 CARD 3 3/51 0.058824 0.058824 2 CARDS 2 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 0.012549 ACE × 2 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 CARDS ACE × ACE × ACE 4/51 × 3/50 × 0.000192 0.000192 2/49 0.071565

DEALER CARD=4

PROB- ABILITY PROB- MATCH COMBINATIONS FACTORS ABILITY 1 CARD 4 3/51 0.058824 0.058824 2 CARDS 3 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 0.017255 ACE × 3 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 2 × 2 4/51 × 3/50 0.004706 3 CARDS 2 × ACE × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 0.000384 0.001152 3/49 ACE × ACE × 2 4/51 × 3/50 × 0.000384 4/49 ACE × 2 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 0.000384 3/49 0.077231

DEALER CARD=5

COMBI- PROBABILITY PROB- MATCH NATIONS FACTORS ABILITY 1 CARD 5 3/51 0.058824 0.058824 2 CARDS 4 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 0.025098 ACE × 4 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 2 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 CARDS 3 × ACE × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 0.002305 ACE 2 × ACE × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 2 × 2 × ACE 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 ACE × ACE × 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 3 ACE × 3 × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 ACE ACE × 2 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 0.086226

MATCH THE DEALER PROBABILITY ANALYSIS DEALER CARD=6

COMBI- PROBABILITY PROB- MATCH NATIONS FACTORS ABILITY 1 CARD 6 3/51 0.058824 0.058824 2 CARDS 5 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 0.029804 ACE × 5 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 4 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 2 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 × 3 4/51 × 3/50 0.004706 3 CARDS 4 × ACE × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 0.004418 ACE 3 × ACE × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 2 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × ACE × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 3 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 2 × 2 4/51 × 3/50 × 2/49 0.000192 ACE × ACE × 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 4 ACE × 4 × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 ACE ACE × 2 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 3 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 0.093045

DEALER CARD=7

COMBI- PROBABILITY PROB- MATCH NATIONS FACTORS ABILITY 1 CARD 7 3/51 0.058824 0.058824 2 CARDS 6 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 0.037647 ACE × 6 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 5 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 2 × 5 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 4 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 CARDS 5 × ACE × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 0.006531 ACE 4 × ACE × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 4 × 2 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × ACE × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 3 × 3 × ACE 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 3 × 2 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 2 × ACE × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 4 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 2 × 3 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 2 × 3 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 ACE × ACE × 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 5 ACE × 5 × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 ACE ACE × 2 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 4 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 3 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 0.103001

MATCH THE DEALER PROBABILITY ANALYSIS DEALER CARD=8

COMBI- PROBABILITY PROB- MATCH NATIONS FACTORS ABILITY 1 CARD 8 3/51 0058824 0.058824 2 CARDS 7 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 0.042353 ACE × 7 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 6 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 2 × 6 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 5 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 × 5 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 4 × 4 4/51 × 3/50 0.004706 3 CARDS 6 × ACE × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 0.009604 ACE 5 × ACE × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 5 × 2 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 4 × ACE × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 4 × 3 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 4 × 2 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 3 × ACE × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 4 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 2 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 3 × 3 × 2 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 2 × ACE × 5 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 5 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 2 × 4 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 2 × 4 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 2 × 3 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 ACE × ACE × 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 6 ACE × 6 × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 ACE ACE × 2 × 5 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 5 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 3 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 4 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 0.110780

MATCH THE DEALER PROBABILITY ANALYSIS DEALER CARD=9

COMBI- PROBABILITY PROB- MATCH NATIONS FACTORS ABILITY 1 CARD 9 3/51 0.058824 0.058824 2 CARDS 8 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 0.050196 ACE × 8 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 7 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 2 × 7 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 6 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 × 6 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 5 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 4 × 5 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 CARDS 7 × ACE × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 0.012869 ACE 6 × ACE × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 6 × 2 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 5 × ACE × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 5 × 3 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 5 × 2 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 4 × ACE × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 4 × 4 × ACE 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 4 × 2 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 4 × 3 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × ACE × 5 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 5 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 2 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 4 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 3 × 3 4/51 × 3/50 × 2/49 0.000192 2 × ACE × 6 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 6 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 2 × 5 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 2 × 5 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 2 × 3 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 4 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × ACE × 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 7 ACE × 7 × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 ACE ACE × 2 × 6 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 6 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 3 × 5 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 5 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 4 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 0.121889

MATCH THE DEALER PROBABILITY ANALYSIS DEALER CARD=10

COMBI- PROBABILITY PROB- MATCH NATIONS FACTORS ABILITY 1 CARD 10 15/51 0.294118 0.294118 2 CARDS 9 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 0.054902 ACE × 9 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 8 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 2 × 8 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 7 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 × 7 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 6 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 4 × 6 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 5 × 5 4/51 × 3/50 0.004706 3 CARDS 8 × ACE × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 0.016903 ACE 7 × ACE × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 7 × 2 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 6 × ACE × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 6 × 3 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 6 × 2 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 5 × ACE × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 5 × 4 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 5 × 2 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 5 × 3 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 4 × ACE × 5 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 4 × 5 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 4 × 2 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 4 × 4 × 2 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 4 × 3 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 3 × ACE × 6 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 6 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 2 × 5 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 5 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 3 × 4 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 3 × 4 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 2 × ACE × 7 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 7 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 2 × 6 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 2 × 6 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 2 × 3 × 5 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 5 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 4 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 ACE × ACE × 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 8 ACE × 8 × 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 ACE ACE × 2 × 7 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 7 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 3 × 6 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 6 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 4 × 5 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 ACE × 5 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 0.365922

MATCH THE DEALER PROBABILITY ANALYSIS DEALER CARD=ACE (11)

COMBI- PROBABILITY PROB- MATCH NATIONS FACTORS ABILITY 1 CARD ACE 3/51 0.058824 0.058824 2 CARDS 10 × ACE 16/51 × 3/50 0.018824 0.069020 9 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 2 × 9 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 8 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 × 8 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 7 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 4 × 7 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 6 × 5 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 5 × 6 4/51 × 4/50 0.006275 3 CARDS 9 × ACE × 4/51 × 3/50 × 2/49 0.000192 0.014982 ACE 8 × ACE × 2 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 8 × 2 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 7 × ACE × 3 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 7 × 3 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 7 × 2 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 6 × ACE × 4 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 6 × 4 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 6 × 2 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 6 × 3 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0000512 5 × ACE × 5 4/51 × 3/50 × 3/49 0.000288 5 × 5 × ACE 4/51 × 3/50 × 3/49 0.000288 5 × 2 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 5 × 4 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 5 × 3 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 4 × ACE × 6 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 4 × 6 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 4 × 2 × 5 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 4 × 5 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 4 × 3 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 4 × 4 × 3 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 3 × ACE × 7 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 3 × 7 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 3 × 2 × 6 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 6 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 3 × 3 × 5 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 3 × 5 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 3 × 4 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 2 × ACE × 8 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 2 × 8 × ACE 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 2 × 2 × 7 4/51 × 3/50 × 4/49 0.000384 2 × 7 × 2 4/51 × 4/50 × 3/49 0.000384 2 × 3 × 6 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 6 × 3 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 4 × 5 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512 2 × 5 × 4 4/51 × 4/50 × 4/49 0.000512

Each hand may be played in a clockwise fashion, that is, from the dealer's left to right. Once each player has chosen his or her course of action—to fold, stand or double down—the dealer works the table from right to left turning the cards over, paying and taking bets, and returning cards to the discard rack. Upon completion of working the table, the remainder of the deck is shuffled and the next hand is dealt.

It is apparent that the present invention provides an improved wagering card game for, at least, entertainment purposes. Furthermore, the instant invention may clearly be practiced in conjunction with any number of gambling establishment configurations. It may, for example, be played as a live table game or embodied in a video gaming terminal. While specific embodiments of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, this should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather an exemplification of the preferred embodiments thereof Numerous variations are possible and will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefor understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A method of playing a card game, comprising: a) providing at least one deck of playing cards comprising four suits totaling fifty two cards, with each suit including thirteen cards ranking from ace through king; b) assigning a value to each of the cards with the two through ten of each suit respectively being assigned values of two through ten points, the jack, queen and king of each suit being assigned values of ten points, and the ace being assigned a discretionary value of either one or eleven points; c) placing a first wager on the outcome of play of the card game; d) forming dealer and player hands by dealing three cards to each player and a single card to the dealer of the game, with the card to the dealer being dealt face up and all others face down; and, e) determining a winning player's hand in relation to the dealer's hand by achieving one or a plurality of numeric direct or indirect matches, wherein said direct matches comprise corresponding face value between said player's hand or a portion thereof and said dealer's hand, said indirect matches comprise the summing of at least a portion of said player's hand to match said dealer's hand.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a winning payout is provided when said player's hand includes three direct matches to said dealer's hand.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said player's hand including three direct matches is ranked as the highest value.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a winning payout is provided when said player's hand includes two direct matches to said dealer's hand.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said player's hand including two direct matches is ranked as the second highest value.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein a winning payout is provided when said player's hand includes three, direct or indirect matches, each match having a value of ten, to said dealer's hand.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said player's hand including three, direct or indirect matches, each match having a value of ten, is ranked as the third highest value.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein a winning payout is provided when said player's hand includes one direct and one indirect match to said dealer's hand.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said player's hand including one direct and one indirect match is ranked fourth highest value.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein a winning payout is provided when said player's hand includes one indirect, three card total, match to said dealer's hand.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said player's hand including one indirect, three card total, match is ranked fifth highest value.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein a winning payout is provided when said player's hand includes one indirect, two card total, match to said dealer's hand.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said player's hand including one indirect, two card total, match is ranked sixth highest value.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein a winning payout is provided when said player's hand includes a direct match to said dealer's hand.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said player's hand including a direct match is ranked seventh highest value.
 16. A method of playing a card game, comprising: a) providing at least one deck of playing cards comprising four suits totaling fifty two cards, with each suit including thirteen cards ranking from ace through king; b) assigning a value to each of the cards with the two through ten of each suit respectively being assigned values of two through ten points, the jack, queen and king of each suit being assigned values of ten points, and the ace being assigned a discretionary value of either one or eleven points; c) placing a first wager on the outcome of play of the card game; d) forming dealer and player hands by dealing three cards to each player and a single card to the dealer of the game, with the card to the dealer being dealt face up and all others face down; and, e) determining a winning player's hand in relation to the dealer's hand by achieving one or a plurality of numeric direct or indirect matches, wherein said direct matches comprise corresponding face value between said player's hand or a portion thereof and said dealer's hand, said indirect matches comprise the summing of at least a portion of said player's hand to match said dealer's hand; and wherein a winning payout is provided when said player's hand includes three direct matches to said dealer's hand.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein winning payouts are provided when said player's hand includes: two direct matches to said dealer's hand; three direct or indirect matches, each match having a value of ten, to said dealer's hand; one direct and one indirect match to said dealer's hand; one indirect, three card total, match to said dealer's hand; one indirect, two card total, match to said dealer's hand; and a direct match to said dealer's hand.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein player hands are ranked as follows: said player's hand including three direct matches is ranked as the highest value; said player's hand including two direct matches is ranked as the second highest value said player's hand including three, direct or indirect matches, each match having a value often, is ranked as the third highest value; said player's hand including one direct and one indirect match is ranked fourth highest value; said player's hand including one indirect, three card total, match is ranked fifth highest value. said player's hand including one indirect, two card total, match is ranked sixth highest value; and said player's hand including a direct match is ranked seventh highest value. 